Bruera S, Lei X, Zogala R, et al. - Researchers examined the rates of cervical cancer screening, as well as associated abnormal results, among women with an initial diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

• Included were 4,316 women with SLE and age-matched women without connective tissue disease.

• Relative to the general controls, women with SLE had higher screening rates.

• Decreased screening was observed in correlation with the following factors: recent time (2012–2014 vs 2001–2005), age ≥ 61 years, comorbidity score ≥ 2, corticosteroid use, and use of immunosuppressants.

• Women with SLE more commonly had abnormal pathology result claims relative to general controls, supporting the need for regular screening.

• Overall findings suggest that despite higher rates than the general cohort, screening is not performed in over 25% of the patients with SLE, and there has been a decrease in screening rates over time.